Bell Canada has launched its first Google Android powered smartphone on its HSPA+ network. The Samsung Galaxy is a Bell exclusive handset sporting a 3.2" scratchproof AMOLED (Active Matrix OLED) screen. A full-featured Android device, Galaxy also comes with a number of multimedia and connectivity features. The most impressive of these is a 5-megapixel camera - complete with autofocus and a built-in LED flash - and video recorder.

The Samsung Galaxy on Bell Canada completes Android's presence in each of the major Canadian wireless carriers for 2009. Rogers has the HTC Dream and HTC Magic- the earliest and therefore oldest Android models. Telus Mobility offers the new-ish HTC Hero and announced the flagship Android device, the Motorola Milestone for 2010. Google's Android OS (operating system) is definitely gaining ground with a staggering number of handsets slated for release in the coming year, and now Canadian consumers have a selection of devices and carriers that offer the popular smartphone OS.

In terms of presence, Google's Android, RIM's BlackBerry and Apple's iPhone are the only three mobile platforms that are represented in all three carriers. As a platform, Android's benefit over the competition is that it can be used in smartphones from different manufacturers, whereas iPhone and BlackBerry hardware and software are mutually exclusive to Apple and RIM and lock down.

First impressions of the Samsung Galaxy on Bell's network are that it is a capable, good looking and functional device. Styling is a bit on the conservative side, typical of Samsung.

The glossy-plastic Galaxy is surprisingly light, though not in a cheap way - the unit's screen and user interface is fast and responsive. It offers a much better Android experience than the HTC Dream, which is unsurprising considering the Dream is almost three years old (though only available in Canada for less than a year).

The Galaxy's scratchproof touchscreen is one of the best yet seen on a smartphone. It verily repels smudges and skin oils. It's clearly superior to the iPhone 3G S' oleophobic screen, at any rate

Oddly, the Samsung Galaxy currently ships with the older Android OS 1.5, which is a letdown. OS 1.6 is the current standard, while Verizon's Droid/Telus Milestone ships with the 2.0 version of Android. For seasoned Android users, a brand new device with a not-so-new version of the OS is a definite disappointment. However, new users who don't know what they aren't getting - namely better search functionality, enhanced camera interface and VPN (Virtual private Network) support - probably won't find 1.5 lacking. It's still a solid and stable OS, after all. Besides which, Bell asserts that an over-the-air update will be offered "early next year."

Bell is selling the Samsung Galaxy as of today for $99.99 on three year contracts with a minimum $50.00 voice and data plan. It can be had without a contract for $449.99